Summer rewind – Strathspey Highland Games.

Summer is closing out and I realize I have so many fun memories from our time at Glenarder this year which I have not shared. This summer our time at Glenarder was cut short due to a transfer from Moscow to Toronto, the exhausting and emotional transition left us more than ready for some quite days to recoup and rewind at our favourite spot in the world.

We timed our visit this year especially around the annual Strathspey Highland Games held in Aberlour. It is always an exciting and bustling time in the town, lots of visitors, local events and great anticipation about the biggest question of all …will it rain on the day?

This year it did rain …but only nominally. The sun popped in and out and everyone enjoyed trudging around in their wellies taking in the field sports, highland dancer’s and Pipe band’s. Kid’s lined up at the bouncy castle, everyone sampled delicious icecream form the Balvenie Ice Cream Shop and adults filled up the bar tent …welcoming the free wee dram’s being handed the local sponsors Macallan’s Whisky.

 

Balvenie ice cream

Aberlour

 

A grand day was had by all, even Douglas got into the local sprit and participated in the visitor’s ‘Haggis Hurling’ competition …beaten, ‘narrowly – off course’ by the magnificent hurl of young Austrailian man……next year Douglas!

A dram of The Macallan ..not a bad consolation price.

…the little shed that could.

Glenarder Design Shed.

Newest addition to Glenarder.

We had a desperate need for a space dedicated to all our design and craft projects and a big desire to keep costs to a minimum by using materials we already had.

So for the cost of a basic shed, the hardwork and labour of a patient brother and husband. And a barn full of old shelves, paints and scraps we managed to put together this little work space. 

Best part….the view! ‘The Shed’ is sitting alone backed by fields and heather covered hill and facing the uninterrupted viw of Ben Rinnes…..no excuse for lack if inspiration.

Looking forward to seeing what comes out of that little shed.

Sunshine on Moray.

Nairn Beach

who can resist a 99 on a summers day?.

Golf links tea room

Nairns fabulous beach front.

fresh picked strawberries on the beach.

Celebration and excitement reigned over land as a welcome heat wave swept across the country!  I happened to be travelling past the seaside village of Nairn on the day temperatures hit a rare 27C.  Just think if we had consistently hot weather this beach front would be covered in condos, perhaps its better this way.

Canoeing, Whisky and Lady Spey.

Spirit of the Spey Whisky Canoe Tour

With a guest in town from Canada we took advantage of the wide assortment of available activities running throughout the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and signed up for the Canoeing and Whisky Tasting Journey offered by Spirit of the Spey.  On the big day we woke to wet and drech weather which admittedly caused a moment of hesitancy over our morning coffee, however that was quickly washed away by the passion and enthusiasm from the Spirit of the Spey team who were ready and waiting to get us suited up, prepared and expertly instructed before launching our canoes into the iconic River Spey.

The trip was facilitated by David Craig (Spirit of the Spey), a respected authority on the Spey River. His obvious knowledge and passion for the Spey and Strathspey was only surpassed by his patience and genuine warmth for our motley crew of would be river canoers.  Our little group quickly bonded and had loads of fun. I admit to being hesitant about being on a fast flowing river having only ever canoed on calm lake water however we were expertly guided through the more splashy bits of water and after a couple of drenching splashes and moment of getting stuck between two rocks I began to feel comfortable and immensely enjoyed the experience.

Mid day we enjoyed a lovely homemade picnic lunch beside the historic Carron Bridge along with a wee dram of Balvenie Double Wood 12 year old to warm everyone up, putting us all in very good spirits for the second half of our trip. The culmination of the afternoon was an extensive malt whisky tasting from the best distilleries Speyside has to offer.

I have to say it was one of my most enjoyable experiences for a long time, only depenening my love and respect for our majestic Lady Spey. Can’t wait to do it again.

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL

SPIRIT OF THE SPEY

Pheasants …go slow!

Counting the days to leave behind Moscow traffic …..mind you roads can be a bit hectic in Ballindalloch too.